The tackle that saw Lee sin-binned.

By Simon Stone, PA Sport

Sir Clive Woodward's England have been set the daunting task of defeating France by eight points in Paris next week to retain their RBS Six Nations crown.

Two tries from outstanding centre Yannick Jauzion, an early Olivier Magne effort and 16 points from the boot of scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili were enough to maintain the title favourites' 100% record and inflict another horrendous defeat on a Scotland side who did not threaten the visitors try line until the final minute.

In fact, the most damage inflicted on Les Bleus was on the injury list. Magne limped his way through the latter stages after suffering a bang on his knee, while fly-half Frederic Michalak must be a doubt for Saturday's title decider after failing to return for the second half.

Scotland deserve praise for keeping going but they lacked any attacking spark and the margin of defeat could have been far worse had France exerted their complete authority to its fullest extent.

Instead, as usual, they settled for all that was required but much may rest on Michalak's fitness if they are to lift the title on home soil by defeating the world champions.

Such is the vast gap between the two sides just now that not even the most optimistic Scottish supporter turned up actually expecting their team to win.

Defeat in Rome a fortnight ago had swept away any pretence that new coach Matt Williams was capable of producing an instant revival and when Magne shrugged off Chris Paterson's attempted tackle and charged over just six minutes into the game, a worrying repeat of the 51-9 World Cup hammering looked inevitable.

France kept part of that bargain by dominating possession and field position for the rest of the half.

It was fully 30 minutes before Scotland got their hands on the ball in the visitors half again yet somehow they only conceded another six points.

The feat was more remarkable given returning Derrick Lee had also spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin for wiping out Yachvili, who was still in the air after collecting the Scottish full-back's steepling kick.

Pepito Elhorga should have grabbed a second try but fumbled Yannick Jauzion's grubber kick as he tried to ground it over the line and a couple of interception opportunities went astray as France monopolised possession.

Jauzion was proving to be a particular handful and the home defence were finding it hard to slow the centre's muscular frame as he rampaged through their midfield.

Still, aside from Magne's effort, a couple of Yachvili penalties were all France had to show for their endeavours and Scotland were still in the game as they headed down the tunnel for half-time.

Their spirits would have been raised even further when Michalak failed to appear for the second period but within eight minutes their chances had been extinguished by two more Yachvili penalties.

No evidence is needed to confirm the cataclysmic state of the Scottish game just now but Lee provided it anyway.

Any international side has reached a sorry state of affairs when a man they deem good enough to represent them opts, under absolutely no pressure, to try to pass to a team-mate who is already a yard in front. When that pass is then delivered too far forward for its intended recipient to grasp, as was the case for Simon Danielli, it is almost too embarrassing for words.

Unsurprisingly, Lee departed soon afterwards, possibly never to be seen again, a move which saw Dan Parks take over at fly-half with Paterson dropping into the vacant full-back berth.

Parks' attempts at inspiration involved a mis-timed pass to Gavin Kerr and a clearance kick booted out on the full from outside his own 22. Even in one of their lethargic phases, the second blunder offered France an opportunity they could not turn down and the excellent Jauzion burst onto Damien Traille's short pass to grab the visitors' second try.

Having got one, Jauzion quickly strode through for another, Traille again the provider, although this time the major credit went to Serge Betsen, whose left-wing burst had dragged the Scottish defence across, leaving gaping holes in the home defence as the visitors quickly moved the ball right.

The concession of a third try prompted Scotland into a late rally. But there was to be no consolation score, just another demoralising defeat that leaves them needing to beat Ireland in Dublin next week to avoid the 'Wooden Spoon'.

Teams:

Scotland: Lee, Danielli, Philip, Henderson, Webster, Paterson, Cusiter, Jacobsen, Bulloch, Douglas, Murray, Grimes, White, Mather, Taylor.

Replacements: Parks for Lee (57), Blair for Cusiter (39), Kerr for Jacobsen (34), Russell for Bulloch (65), Hines for Grimes (51).

Not Used: Hogg, Laney.

France: Brusque, Elhorga, Jauzion, Traille, Dominici, Michalak, Yachvili, Marconnet, Servat, De Villiers, Pelous, Pape, Betsen, Lievremont, Magne.

Replacements: Peyrelongue for Michalak (40), Bru for Servat (51), Bonnaire for Lievremont (49).

Not Used: Crenca, Auradou, Rougerie, Clerc.

Tries: Magne, Jauzion 2.

Cons: Yachvili 2.

Pens: Yachvili 3.

Drop Goals: Yachvili.

Att: 67,500

Ref: Scott Young (Australia).